Graduate Trainee Surveyor

Job Summary

Have you recently graduated with a Degree in a marine engineering discipline accredited to achieve Chartered Engineering status?

Are you ready to embark on a bespoke development plan tailored towards your career goals?

Does a graduate scheme working for an organisation delivering vital maritime safety work excite you?

If so, we are looking for a Graduate Surveyor to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety and environmental protection policies in the United Kingdom, working to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.

Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.

Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to enabling all our colleagues to have purpose, professionalism and pride in what they do.

We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams. We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups including, Women’s, Men's, HM Reserves, Neurodiversity, Parental, Positive Supports, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing, Veterans Network and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

Job Description

As a Graduate Trainee Surveyor, you will complete a structured development training programme to become an MCA Marine Surveyor and gain an understanding of the Government's Maritime Strategy for 'Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas'. You will assist MCA Surveyors in maintaining high standards of marine safety, to minimise loss of life amongst seafarers and coastal users and minimise pollution from ships of both the sea and the coastline.

You will embark on a four-year development Graduate Trainee Surveyor Scheme. Your first two years will be spent gaining practical experience of a variety of different MCA tasks in a marine office, alongside theoretical learning about the role of a surveyor and the legal framework in which surveyors work.

Following a successful assessment, you will progress to an HEO Surveyor, where your responsibilities will increase and you will undertake some survey and inspection tasks independently, gaining experience as well as confidence. You will continue to develop your knowledge, learning more about larger vessels. At the end of the four years, you will be expected to progress to SEO Surveyor.

Responsibilities

• Gaining an understanding of MCA survey, inspection, audit and enforcement activities, including but not limited to Flag State Work, Legal Frameworks, Auditing Techniques and Human Element, and Convention Vessels.
• Assisting Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Marine Surveyors in maintaining high standards of marine safety; minimizing loss of life amongst seafarers and coastal users, and minimizing pollution from ships of both the sea and the coastline.
• Attending Marine Office/HQ Operations Management meetings as required.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date personal competence and training records; completing all the required elements of the MCA Graduate Trainee Surveyor training programme to a satisfactory standard; undertaking training and development opportunities as directed by the line management chain.
• Attending relevant formal courses and modules to develop your skills and understanding.
• Treating all customers and stakeholders with respect and a positive and helpful manner; valuing diversity and demonstrating positive MCA behaviours.

Person Specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Relevant work experience or placements with transferable skills to the graduate surveyor role.
• Competence in IT and the ability to use the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• A willingness to learn, develop and follow a structured development programme supported by mentors and technical professionals.
• Excellent communication and team working skills.
• Relevant accredited Degree as stated above.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants should have completed a Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering within the last 24 months. The degrees should be accredited by professional institutions such as RINA or IMarEST, which support progression toward Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) status.

Licenses

You must hold a Valid Full UK Driving License at the point of application.

Additional Information

This role will be based at your relevant MCA Marine Office. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work. The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.

At the time of employment, you must reside within a reasonable commuting distance (45 minutes’ drive or 25 miles whichever is least) from an agreed location within the supported geographical area. Relocation costs are not supported.

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake a physical medical. There will be a requirement for some travel on official duty within the UK, which may involve overnight stays. Notice will be given prior to travel.

This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis for 24 months.

For permanent Civil Servants, this role is only available on loan, so you must have your home department's approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. There is no opportunity for a permanent Civil Servant to take on this role as a fixed-term appointment. OGD (Other government department) applicants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance.

This role is offered on a Full Time Only basis. This is a uniformed role and uniform will be required to be worn at all times when on duty.

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.